New Celebrity Bundle Pricing (Go! Big, Go! Better, Go! Best)

[Oville]

The $400 was per person as well...So that would be $800 on a 7-night cruise...

Still a terrible deal...

 

Was it $400 less because it was a guaranteed rate or special pricing like senior or resident rates?

[yorkyred]

We actually booked a few days ago before this promotion, Celebrity were offering extra discounts to the TA we used and it worked out £470 less than the Celebrity website price for a balcony plus classic drinks package and $100 onboard credit. The balcony alone was less than the price of the inside we already had booked. I'm still not sure it's the way to go though, not everyone is a drinker or internet user and it's really not offering value to those cruisers. I can also imagine the bars are going to get so busy you're going to need to wait 30 minutes just to get a drink.

[teecee60]

If most customers, and their friends, followed your way of thinking, booking the least expensive (inside) cabins which came with OBC which is then used to cover all their expenses, not paying anything out of pocket, how is X going to increase their profits?

So perhaps you are right, "dinosaurs" are not their target customer.

 

The "dinosaur" refers to my favored business strategy, as opposed to my income level/net worth. Neither of which is valued by Celebrity!

 

I am absolutely sure that Celebrity (and any other cruise line) would be MOST happy, targeting and getting repeat business from, the likes of the fellow CC poster who spent $8,500 for a 7 night solo cruise in a Penthouse Suite. :eek: :D ;)

 

Unfortunately for the cruise lines, (and their stockholders like me) there are not very many cruisers who do that, which is why there are not very many Penthouse Suites on Celebrity's (or anyone else's) ships. :rolleyes:

 

X will ALSO increase profits by filling EVERY cabin (penthouse to inside) on EVERY sailing. To do that, they are having to offer LOTS of incentives and many hugely discounted fares, as well as resorting to inane marketing gimmicks that some (but obviously not all) people recognize for what they are.

 

Unless you are a monopoly, and/or offer a highly inelastic demand product that has no substitute, (and Celebrity is neither) a business needs to satisfy as many of its customers as possible, or face a dismal future. :cool:

Edited July 1, 2015 by teecee60

[HS2BS]

Just received an email from celebrity with booking deposit of $25. There are 5 pages of cruises listed and the prices reflect the new pricing! We have four bookings and they look like bargains compared with the new prices.

 

Hal

[Cruzinram]

So, this sounds like for the Capt Club members who were rewarded for their loyalty, will now will be paying for the perks we received for our continued loyalty. Does that sound about right. DW and myself are Elite Plus. 30 cruises with Celebrity. As such, we receive more than enough internet, and free drinks. That comes down to the laundry coupons the only thing that we use from the coupons. On occasion we will use the discount wine coupons in the dining room. Am I understanding this correctly. I am starting not to like this new bundled pricing so much.

[Oz_Steve]

I do recall a thread on here some time ago (may have been RC) that looked at the RCI balance sheet and it appeared quite apparent that the cruise line actually lose money on the straight fares. They make money on the extras such as drinks, casino and shops. So their target market isn't someone who doesn't spend money once on board.

 

Their objective will also not be to satisfy as many customers as possible at any cost, some customers just aren't possible to keep happy profitably. Talk to a quant if you want more detail on the maths of all that sort of stuff.

The stated objective of the new bundling is to raise the average per diem, that is why they won't offer naked fares. Bundling will most likely do that as they would have strong indicators from the 123go etc promotions on the success and profitability of such a move. I suspect that a customer who gets the drink package at say $35 a day effectively (from promo etc) is probably more profitable than someone who spends $20 a day on drinks.

 

I think the cruise lines are more profitable by adding amenities/perks to increase sales rather than lower fares. Time will tell if they are successful but I like the drinks package being bundled in. If I didn't like the drinks I could always get the gratuities bundled (assuming that is an option)which effectively makes it a 'naked' fare.

 

Sorry for the long winded response.

[shipshape sam]

Celebrity will go exclusively with bundle pricing.

 

http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-Cruises-to-go-exclusively-with-bundle-pricing/

 

My thought process is that I may want the included amenity and thus pay higher price for Celebrity if I choose to sail Celebrity again.

 

I quote:

 

“We needed to completely change what’s going on,” Ritzethaler told Tolkin. “Our guiding principles were to give consumers ultimate choice, raise APDs (average per diems) and make it easy.”

 

It is clear that Celebrity will raise APD's and it MAY make it easier, but I can't see how consumers (as in all consumers) get ultimate choice. Ultimate choice could have been standard pricing and then offering pre purchase packages at discounts when booking. To me that is consumer choice.

 

What they are doing is forcing more value into cruise package and those passengers not seeing the value, pay more.

 

Like Celebrity, but will still decide to sail based on price/value compared to other similar sailings at same time. In past it was pretty easy to compare, now more complicated. Hope they find all those passengers to fill up cabins each sailing. If so, more power to them. My bet is they won't, at least without discounting or other forms of compensation.

Edited July 1, 2015 by shipshape sam

[Iamcruzin]

So, this sounds like for the Capt Club members who were rewarded for their loyalty, will now will be paying for the perks we received for our continued loyalty. Does that sound about right. DW and myself are Elite Plus. 30 cruises with Celebrity. As such, we receive more than enough internet, and free drinks. That comes down to the laundry coupons the only thing that we use from the coupons. On occasion we will use the discount wine coupons in the dining room. Am I understanding this correctly. I am starting not to like this new bundled pricing so much.

 

If you are Elite or Elite plus and if the perks that are offered at that level are enough to get you through your cruise then the bundling will be no incentive to you. Yes you can still choose the gratuity or the OBC but will those incentives cover the cost of the price increase? I know that after only 8 cruises total that the only thing I purchase on board are drinks. The romance with pictures, specialty dining,and over priced jewelry and watches is over for us. I imagine after 30 cruises you hold the same thoughts. Since we purchased the drink package on our first Celebrity sailing it may work out to be less over all with the bundle. Who knows? I do know that they raised the price of the classic and premium drink packages not to long ago so perhaps that was part of the plan to create value in the bundled plan. Instead of a travel agent we may need to consult with a C.P.A. or a financial planner before we book a cruise.

[ChiGal1962]

...the cruise line actually lose money on the straight fares. They make money on the extras such as drinks, casino and shops. So their target market isn't someone who doesn't spend money once on board.

 

This is exactly the justification that the cruise lines have long had for charging solo travelers double the fare on a cabin, even though we don't use double the services included (i.e., I don't eat two dinners, take up two seats in the theater for the shows, require double the pool towels, etc.). However, I also don't purchase double the drinks (well, maybe I do, but that's another story!), buy double shore excursions, spend twice as much in the shops, etc. All the extras that they are counting on. But it's many of those extras that are making passengers feel "nickeled and dimed". So this is their solution.

 

Again, my hope is that as they bundle more in the standard fare, I don't have to pay double all the other stuff I won't use. We'll have to see how the pricing all comes out once this actually launches.

[The_Big_M]

But that's a pretty BAD deal for me...especially when they up the cabin price by $400--as they did with my Alaska cruise...

 

Hmmm...

I can pick, for my $400, free gratuities worth $91!

 

IF, in fact, these perks really were FREE, then, yes, ANY perk is a bonus...though some might be worth more to some people than others...

 

But, I think you miss the point--they are NOT free...Celebrity is merely taking a cruise that used to cost, say, $1500 and for which you MIGHT have purchased a $400 drink package--IF you really think you'd get your money's worth drinking at least 6-7 drinks per night...and are, instead, charging you $1900. BUT, if you don't want that drinks package you've basically paid for, they will gladly give you $150 in nonrefundable OBC or $90 in paid gratuities instead!

 

They are, basically, making each customer guarantee that they will spend an additional $400 (or whatever premium they decide to increase the price by) up front.

 

People who would have already been given drinks and internet as Elite members, people who don't drink or don't drink much, children under the drinking age--they are the targets. They are the ones who rarely run up a tab on the ship of greater than $400 per week. Now their fare goes up--and all they might get from the extra fare is that $90 in gratuities.

 

Oh, I didn’t claim they are free so didn’t miss the point. They may well increase the price.

But then your complaint is not about the new bundles, but about a change in the pricing. Which could also happen under the current structure. It’s not that the bundles necessarily make it more or less value (although us cynics expect it to be worse), but just a potential increase in cost. But that isn’t driven by the bundles themselves.

[MikeC1610]

Anyone who thinks they are going to be better off with the new package concept are kidding themselves.

 

It's just another change in the ever increasing list of changes to take more and give less to the customer.

 

Greed is king as it seems.

[AtleeH]

Agree. Celebrity is like any other large corporation. Everything they do is designed to add to their bottom line. Anything said about "helping" out the customers is nothing but hot air.

 

Anyone who thinks they are going to be better off with the new package concept are kidding themselves.

 

It's just another change in the ever increasing list of changes to take more and give less to the customer.

 

Greed is king as it seems.

[Iamcruzin]

Anyone who thinks they are going to be better off with the new package concept are kidding themselves.

 

It's just another change in the ever increasing list of changes to take more and give less to the customer.

 

Greed is king as it seems.

 

 

I don't see this as a take more give less situation when you consider prices have gone up in the past and nothing was offered. Even with the 123 go and pick your perk I'm still paying less for a C2 on Celebrity than what I paid in 1986 for an obstructed ocean view on Carnival.

[CruisingChick]

I don't see this as a take more give less situation when you consider prices have gone up in the past and nothing was offered. Even with the 123 go and pick your perk I'm still paying less for a C2 on Celebrity than what I paid in 1986 for an obstructed ocean view on Carnival.

 

Prices are less now because there is so much more competition and supply. Most ships now carry way over 2,000 passengers. I don't think Celebrity even existed until 1989.

[Keys Kathy]

Especially since the website is not very clear now on what perks are offered. I find the new site very confusing when it comes to perks. It needs to let you know what the difference is to book with a FL resident rate / over 55 / 123 Whatever....

 

Actually, when you think about it, the new site is great for Travel Agents. I have to call a TA to find out what the Perks are. I can't tell from the X site. So, more confusing website=more TA bookings, usually with an extra perk.

[richsea]

I see lots of really well thought out points brought up here, both pro & con, regarding the impending changes, & all are valid, depending upon one's on board preferences.

 

I think I will reserve judgement until I see exactly what the new pricing will cost me bottom line. Celebrity has been our go to line, but if the changes significantly alter the pricing in a way that we feel is detrimental to us, we will just consider more carefully what lines we sail in the future.

 

As Andy says, time will tell!

[mickey89]

Even more confusing, there are now 3 Alcohol Beverage Packages - Standard, Classic and Premium. The Standard Drinks package is offered with Oceanview cabins, still nothing for steerage. Even more upgrade annoyance when aboard I would expect !!

Edited July 2, 2015 by mickey89

[CruisingChick]

Even more confusing, there are now 3 Alcohol Beverage Packages - Standard, Classic and Premium. The Standard Drinks package is offered with Oceanview cabins, still nothing for steerage.

 

The press release stated insides staterooms are not included in this new pricing structure.

[chamima]

Even more confusing, there are now 3 Alcohol Beverage Packages - Standard, Classic and Premium. The Standard Drinks package is offered with Oceanview cabins, still nothing for steerage. Even more upgrade annoyance when aboard I would expect !!

 

 

 

Where did you see that?

When I go on the Celebrity website I still just see Classic and Premium.

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard-celebrity/onboard-beverage-packages?pagename=onboard_beverage_packages_overview

[Cruise Junky]

Where did you see that?

When I go on the Celebrity website I still just see Classic and Premium.

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard-celebrity/onboard-beverage-packages?pagename=onboard_beverage_packages_overview

 

Might be a UK thing. Apparently their new pricing kicked in already.

[mickey89]

Where did you see that?

When I go on the Celebrity website I still just see Classic and Premium.

 

Check out https://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/cruise-deals/all-inclusive-offer

[chamima]

Choose an Ocean View stateroom and you'll receive:

 

Standard Drinks Package

 

Drinks Included:

 

House collection of most popular grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir and other red blends

 

10% discount on wines by the bottle

 

Selected frozen drinks and cocktails up to $7 per glass

 

Selected spirits (Vodka, Gin, Blend Whiskey, White Rum, Silver Tequila)

 

Selected beers (Bud, Coors Light, Bud Light, Heineken, Heineken Light, Amstel)

 

Bottled water

 

Selected (on-tap) soft drinks

Choose a Balcony or Concierge Class stateroom and you'll receive:

 

Classic Drinks Package + $300 onboard spending money

 

Drinks Included:

 

Frozen drinks up to $8

 

15% discount on wines by the bottle

 

Wine by the glass - up to $9 (all grape varieties)

 

Speciality teas

 

Coffee (includes Lattes, Espresso, Cappuccinos)

 

Fresh & bottled juices

 

10% discount on alcohol in Duty Free shops

 

Spirits - up to $8 (Absolut, Tanqueray etc)

 

Beer - up to $7 (includes imported)

 

Bottled water

 

Can and selected (on-tap) soft drinks

 

Choose an Aquaclass stateroom or Suite class and you'll receive:

Premium Drinks Package + $300 onboard spending money + Unlimited Internet Package!

 

Drinks Included:

 

Signature cocktails

 

Craft cocktails – up to $14 extra-large Martinis, premium spirits

 

20% discount on all wines by the bottle

 

Wine by the glass - premium up to $14

 

Red Bull

 

Frozen drinks

 

Speciality teas

 

Coffee (includes Lattes, Espresso, Cappuccinos)

 

Fresh & bottled juice

 

15% discount on alcohol in Duty Free shops

 

Premium bottled water (Evian, San Pellegrino, Aqua Panna, Perrier, Sky Rain)

 

Spirits - premium up to $13

 

Craft beer - up to $13

 

Smoothies

 

Vitamin water

 

Can, bottle and selected (on-tap) soft drinks

[The_Big_M]

Standard shows to be the new one, with fewer inclusions than Classic.

[chamima]

This is the UK package.

I don't think this is what we'll have in the US because Aqua isn't listed with Suites here ( wish it was!!!)

I DID notice the drink limit in Premium seems to be raised to $14.

Also just noticed the unlimited internet. My husband has to work from vacation (not great but it allows us to be able to go) so this would be nice!

 

 

 

Choose an Ocean View stateroom and you'll receive:

 

Standard Drinks Package

 

Drinks Included:

 

House collection of most popular grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir and other red blends

 

10% discount on wines by the bottle

 

Selected frozen drinks and cocktails up to $7 per glass

 

Selected spirits (Vodka, Gin, Blend Whiskey, White Rum, Silver Tequila)

 

Selected beers (Bud, Coors Light, Bud Light, Heineken, Heineken Light, Amstel)

 

Bottled water

 

Selected (on-tap) soft drinks

Choose a Balcony or Concierge Class stateroom and you'll receive:

 

Classic Drinks Package + $300 onboard spending money

 

Drinks Included:

 

Frozen drinks up to $8

 

15% discount on wines by the bottle

 

Wine by the glass - up to $9 (all grape varieties)

 

Speciality teas

 

Coffee (includes Lattes, Espresso, Cappuccinos)

 

Fresh & bottled juices

 

10% discount on alcohol in Duty Free shops

 

Spirits - up to $8 (Absolut, Tanqueray etc)

 

Beer - up to $7 (includes imported)

 

Bottled water

 

Can and selected (on-tap) soft drinks

 

Choose an Aquaclass stateroom or Suite class and you'll receive:

Premium Drinks Package + $300 onboard spending money + Unlimited Internet Package!

 

Drinks Included:

 

Signature cocktails

 

Craft cocktails – up to $14 extra-large Martinis, premium spirits

 

20% discount on all wines by the bottle

 

Wine by the glass - premium up to $14

 

Red Bull

 

Frozen drinks

 

Speciality teas

 

Coffee (includes Lattes, Espresso, Cappuccinos)

 

Fresh & bottled juice

 

15% discount on alcohol in Duty Free shops

 

Premium bottled water (Evian, San Pellegrino, Aqua Panna, Perrier, Sky Rain)

 

Spirits - premium up to $13

 

Craft beer - up to $13

 

Smoothies

 

Vitamin water

 

Can, bottle and selected (on-tap) soft drinks

Edited July 2, 2015 by chamima

[Oville]

Check out https://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/cruise-deals/all-inclusive-offer

 

That's a special offer on 4 cruises and expires in Sept.